Ventilating and air-conditioning apparatus



July 4, 1933. D. A. SARGENT 1,916,907

VENTILATING AND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Feb. l5, 1935 tum INVEN-roR.

Patented July 4, 1933 1 1 `noNl asanGENT; or roR'rLANDjnai-nn" vmr'nmnue AND `.ula-coNDIcrIoNINe.nrPAuA'rurs-- .i v.

f Application mea February 15, lesa. tendine. 656,114. 1 f i i other enclosed spaces in which the air requires frequent chan `ng.

In the past it has ieen thought sufficient for ordinary Ventilating purposes to simply conduct outside air into the room, either by natural or forced draft, and unt1l recently it would appear that due consideration has not been given the fact that even the outside atmosphere is not pure but more often than not, laden with foreign matter suspended it, making it deleterious to ones health to breathe it.

As an example, during certain seasons of the year those who suffer from such diseases as asthma and hay fever aggravate their trouble by breathing the pollen from certain plant life, and populations residing in urban districts seldom breathe air which is clean and free from dust and fumes disseminated from industrial plants and automobiles.

It has therefore been uppermost in my mind in conceiving the present invention to provide an apparatus by means of which not only fresh air but air cleaned and filtered might be supplied to any of these interiors, and in conjunction with filtered air to provide means whereby the air could be humidified and medicated when required, and further to provide facilities to either cool or warm the a1r as it passes into the room.

Medical authorities now highly recommend humidifying the air in all living quarters as a preventatlve of grippe and influenza, and in a sick room a deodorant or disinfectant circulated through the air of the room is a quite necessary procedure in the routine work of the nurse. The apparatus performsthese two operations automatically.

Briefly, my invention contemplates" a structure comprising a screened box insertable in r a window frame beneath the lower sash, with doors opening` from the inside face of the screen-box to permitair, lunder certain conditions, to pass fdirectlykfrom the outside,y to the interior ofthe room; an air-condition ing box extending into the roomfromv the screen-box and containing an airfiltering element, a tank for water, la motor-driven fan and an air-heating unit.

With the fore oing are provided controls for regulating Vt e `operation of the various u elements, as for instance, the fan may be driven simultaneously with the air-heater, or it may be'operated alone. The humidifier may function only at such times as the proper switch is thrown on, and `if suflicient draft 9 from the outside air is present, the actuating elements of the apparatu'smay vbe entirely stopped and the airv passed through the liltering element intoV the room naturally.

For a better understanding of the character of tlie invention reference should be had to the detailed description foundin the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing disclosing an embodment which,y at the present time, I con- Sider preferable to other possible forms 1n which the invention might be carried out.

Inthe drawing- Fig. 1 is a view of the apparatus, in per- 7 spective; i

Fig. 2 is a sectional planview of the same; Fig. 3 is a` transverse sectional elevation through the screened and air-conditioned boxes; i

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation so showing particularly the air-cut-oif slide;

Fig. 5 is a view of the air-cut-of slide;

Fig. 6 is a view of the air-filtering element;

Fig. 7 shows a shutter asan alternative method of cutting ofi' the air from the airconditioning box; l I

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of a portion ofthe shutter shown in Fig. 7;

Fig.`9: is alperspective view ofone of the capillary 'elements employed 'to 'procure oertain resultsin the operationof the apparatus;

`FigflOfshows the element, illustrated in Fig. 9, in position `in 'the' apparatus;

Fig. 11 isa plan view of thetelescopic end of the screened box; ,y f

Fig. v12y shows another capillary *element employed in the operationoffcooling the air,

. Fig. 13 is a front view of the apparatus installed in a window frame. Y

ISimilar reference characters denote like parts in all the different views of the drawing. Referring to the drawing, 1 is a relatively long and narrow box, in a slide-Way 2 of which is located a screen 3 which is removable for cleaning or repair.

The box 1 has extended sides 4 over which operates the extension channel member 5. A spring 6 acts to thrust the member 5 from the screen box but upon compressing it allows the apparatus to be placed in the groove of a window frame.

The box 1, with the yielding element 5 mounted on one or both ends thereof, is preferably supplied in lengths of standard width window frames. However, in certain cases,

"2"() where these widths are greater than standard I provide lengthening elements, or adapters, of conventional design which are positioned between the extensions 4 of the box and the yielding element 5, the latter being employed 'z5 in all instances. The telescoping construction may be carried out on both ends of the screen box ifl desired. Stops 4a and 5a prevent complete longitudinal withdrawal of the members 5 from olf the extended sides 4.

Extending from the indoor side of the box 1 is a rectangular shaped air-conditioning box 'T within which and adjacent the box 1 is a slide-way 8 in which is mounted a fame 9 containing a relatively thick pad of mineral wool 9a, the small strands of which are curled and twisted into a somewhat compact but spongy and perforate mass, the interstices permitting air to weave through in irregular courses through the pad, depositing on the w'ool elements a. greater part of any foreign matter which enters with the air. And due to this fact the pad, which constitutes my airiiltering and noise eliminating element, needs frequently to be washed under a water faucet. lVires 10 confine the mineral wool in the frame.

On account of its non-rusting characteristic I prefer to use brass' from which to construct the pad; however, any/other material which will qualify as a ltering medium may be substituted. A hook 11 serves as means to withdraw the frame 9 for the cleaning operation.

Secured to the base of the box 7 is an electric motor 12 which operates the fan wheel 13; and outwardly of the latter is an electric heating unit 14 protected by a coarse mesh screen and'cover 15. On each side of the motor is an open-top water tank 16, the two tanks being connected by pipes 17 and 18 vertically spaced.

On the pipe 18 I mount an electric heating unit 19 for the purpose of heating the water in the two tanks 16 and to expedite the circulation of the water from one tank to the other, and pipe 18 is slightly inclined alternative construction I may elect to employ a shutter as shown in Figs. 7 andS, the shutter comprising a plurality of slats 23 pivoted at points 24 on their ends with a rod 25 to actuate them in unison.

The shutter construction will give a very effective graduated control of the amount of air admitted to the air-conditioning chamber C and in extremely cold weather is perhaps the preferable arrangement inasmuch as it compels the air to pass in less volume when the shutter is partially closed land to become more highly heated before passing into the room.

During intensely hot days in summer it is of advantage to be able to cool the air before it enters the room. In Figs. 10 and 12 I show construction by which this object may be attained.

A fabric blanket 26 (see Fig. 12) has two flaps 27 (one only being shown) which extend, respectively, into the two water tanks 16. The water W through the action of capillary attraction creeps up the flaps and spreads over the blanket and the incoming air drawn into the box by the suction of the fan 13 evaporates it and causes the temperature to drop as the air is wafted into the room. The blanket 26 is reinforced on its top edge by a metal binder 26a from which rises a hooked lug 26?) by which the blanket is inserted and withdrawn in and from its position in the apparatus.

In addition to the foregoing method of cooling the air I supply another fabric element28 having radial arms 28a (see Fig. 10) on two of which are flaps 29 which extend rearwardly and downwardly into the opposite ends of the water tanks. The radial arms 28a are secured to a wire screen cover 115g, the counterpart of cover 15, the two ein condltioning box and interchangeable. A trap door 30 permits the blanket 26 to be inserted in the air-conditioning chamber.

On each side of the air-conditioning box 7 and opening into the screen box 1 are hinged doors 31 providing the means for the passing of air from the outside directly into the room.

temperature regulator 32, operating it in conjunction with the heating unit 19. This enables the water to be held at any desired temperature during any particular period of operation. A cut-out switch 33, manually operated, breaks electrical connection with the thermostat.

removable 4from the end of the air-Y In one of the tanks I install a thermostatic A double throw switch 34 controls the current for the motor and the heating unit 14, making it possible to operate the motor. with or without the heater.

By removing the cap 35 access to the water tank 16 for filling may be had.

The operation of my Ventilating and airconditioning apparatus is so simple that any person of ordinary intelligence can handle it without difficulty.

In installing the device the lower sash of the window is raised and the air-conditioner inserted in the open space,--just as an ordinary fl -screen of the removable type 1s placed 1n the window. The plug 36 on the service cord 37 is inserted in any available lamp socket or wall fixture and the apparatus is ready to function.

One movement of the double-throw switch 34 starts the motor and fan. A draft of filtered air, of outside temperature, is now being circulated about the room. And while clean air is being forced into 'the room through the air-conditioning chamber, it is well to swing the doors 31 so that they are just ajar. This will have the effect of more eapedltiously emptying the room of the foul air.

Another movement given the switch 34 and the heating unit 14 is put in operation. A current of warmed, ltered air now passes out of the apparatus into the interior space.

Should the air in the room seem somewhat dry and breathing more or less constrained' a movement of the switch 33 starts the heating unit 19 into action and in a very short period of time the water in the tanks 16 begins to throw off a vapor which is caught up by the incoming air passing through the airconditioning chamber and projected into the room in the form of humidified, filtered air.

The thermostatic control of the waterheating unit regulates the degree of humidity required. It also may be set so that in winter months the water never reaches or approaches the freezing temperature.

In the event that it is desired to deodorize or disinfect the airvin a sick room, then, if the medicant is of the volatile kind a vessel containing it may be placed in either the screen-box chamber S or the air-conditioning chamber C and the fumes from the deodorant will be carried With the filtered air into the room. Or if the medicant is in the form of a solid and non-volatile it may be placed in one of the water tanks and heated with the water to secure vaporization.

When the room is to be unoccupied for a considerable period, say in the day time, it is not so essential nor is it desirable to operate the motor continuously. But the room requires to be ventilated toprevent staleness of the air, so, in this case the motor is stopped andthe doors 31'0 ened wide. The room will then receive ventllation ordinarily supplied b the ordinary fly-screen-equipped window.

pon again occupying the room the occupants will close the doors 31 and set the motor and fan operating again, soon filling the room with filtered air.

As foreign matter, like dust and pollen, is not so freely suspended in night-time air as it is in day-time atmosphere the doors 31 may often be left wide open when the occupants of a sleeping room retire for the night. The motor, in this instance, will be stopped temporarily. v

A predominate characteristic of myl airfiltering element 9 is its quality of absorbing sound. With the doors 31 closed street noises are as effectively eliminated as they would be with the window closed.

This feature adds greatly to the comfort and tranquility of dwellers on noisy thoroughfares and office workers in cities where noise makes it difficult to concentrate their thoughts. It is, moreover, in line with modern ideas on the subject of prevention of noises which scientists tell us is a contributory cause of many of the nervous ailments afilicting the human race.

In brlefly summarizing the features of my invention I wish to stress the facts that my apparatus is strictly a portable, completely outfitted affair which can be moved from one Window to another and put into service by simply raising a sash, placing the device in the window frame and then closing the sash on to it.

It is self-contained, in other words, and supplies in a unitary structure all the requirements for supplying clean, filtered air, either cool or warm, humidified or dry, plain or medicated. Its original cost is relatively small and its operating expense extremely low, and considering the advantages accruing to those who benefit by its use it is believed that it will commend itself particularly to any one who considers healthful and comfortable surroundings of primary importance.

What I claim is:

l. An apparatus of the class described comprising'in combination with a window screen,

a screen-box supporting said screen and having a chamber therein, an open-end box secured to the indoor side of said screen-box intermediate its ends, said boxes having intercommunicating interiors, an air-filtering element in said open-end boX adjacent said screen-box, means whereby a current of air may be drawn from the chamber of said screen-box, through said air-filtering element and projected out of the opposite end of said open-end box, and a heating element adapted to raise the temperature of the projected, filered air while passing out of said open-end 2. A device of the character described comprising a screen-box adapted to be positioned in a window frame beneath the raised lower sash therefor, a screen removably mounted in and adjacent the outdoor'` side ofsaid screen-box, anair-conditioning box extending from the indoor side of said screen-box an air-filtering element removabl vmoun in said air-conditioning box, adjacent said screen-box, a fan wheel in said air-conditioning box, and means to rotate said fan wheel.

3. A device of the character described comprising a long relatively. narrow screen-carrying box adapted to be inserted in a window frame beneath a raised sash therefor, said frame and sash constituting the sole means for securing said box, a vertical slide-way in and adjacent the outdoor side of said screen-carrying box, a screen operable in said slide-way, an a1r-cond1t1on1ng box secured to the indoor side of said screen-carrylng box,

said boxes having interior intercommumcation, an air-filtering element on the inner end -said air-filtering element.

4. A device of the character described comprising a long, narrow screen-carrying box adapted to be secured by and beneath the sash of the raised window for a room, extended sides on said screen-carrying box having stop flanges on the outer ends thereof, a channel member adapted to slidably embrace said extended sides and having reversely disposed I stop flanges adapted to engage the anges on said extended sides to prevent complete withdrawal of said member from oi' said screen-carrying box, means to yieldingly hold said channel member in extended position on said extended sides, a screen in said screenscarrying box, removably disposed therein, an air-conditioning box having open' ends secured on the indoor side of said screencarrying box, an air-filtering element in said air-conditioning box, a fan wheel in said airconditioning box adapted to draft air from said screen-carrying box, through said airfiltering element and thence project it into the adjoining space in the room, and means to close admission of air from said screen-carrying box to said air-conditioning box.

5. A Ventilating and air-conditioning apparatus comprising a screen-carrying box adapted to be mounted in the frame of a Window for a room, beneath the raised sash therefor, a screen on the outer side of said screencarrying box, doors on the inner side of said screen-carrying box adapted, when opened,

'to providedirect communication for air from Y may pass from the interior of said screen carrylng box to the interior of said openend box, a water tank in said openend box, means to heat water in said tank sufticient to create a vapor, a fan wheel in said open-end box, and means to actuate said fan wheel whereby outside air may be drawn through said air-filtering element, absorb the vapor rising from the heated water and thence projected into the space in said room raised in humidity above that of the outside atmosphere.

6. In Ventilating and air-conditioning apparatus the combination with a y-screen adapted for service in the window of a room, of a chambered box in which said screen is mounted and from which it may be slidably withdrawn, doors on the inward side of said chambered box permitting ingress of air from the outside directly into the room, an openend box secured to and extending inwardly from said chambered box, an air-filtering element located in the end of said open-end box adjacent said chambered box, a fan wheel in said open-end box, means to actuate said fan wheel, two water tanks in said open-end box, a trap door in the top wall of said open-end box, and a fabric blanket, having two flaps thereon, adapted to be inserted in said openend box, through said trap door opening, the said flaps being immersed, respectively, in the water in the two said tanks.

7. A Ventilating and air-conditioning apparatus constructed as a completed and workable unit adapted to be mounted in a window frame beneath a raised sash, comprising a screen-carrying box having its outdoor side open, a screen disposed across said open side, an air-filtering element, a water-holding tank, a heater for said water-holding tank adapted to raise the temperature of the water above the Vaporizing point, a fan wheel adapted to draw air through said air-filtering element, an air heating unit, and a structure enclosing and confining the filtered air while being subjected to a humidifying and warming treatment through the agency of said vaporized water and the heat from said air heater, said fan wheel thereafter projecting the filtered, humidified and warmed air from said structure into the surrounding air in the room.

8. An apparatus of the class described adapted to be used in an open window space and employed to ventilate and condition the air in a room comprising in combination with a ily screen substantially covering the said open space, a screen-box insertable under the raised sash of the window and carrying said fly screen, an air-conditioning box extending inwardly from said screen-box, a fan-wheel in said air-conditioning box, means to actuate said fan-Wheel, an air-heating element on the discharge end of said air-conditioning box, a frame removably disposed in the air-admission end of said air-conditioning box, a relatively thick pad constructed of curled and twisted mineral Wool secured in said frame, 

